Farmers were amazed at the efficiency of the new Syncrospread double axle spreader that Casper van Zyl of Rovic introduced during this year’s Grain SA NAMPO at Bothaville in the Free State.
Casper is the engineer responsible for the design of this larger unit in the series.
The new Rovic Syncospread (RSS 13-18) stainless steel hopper of 13 cubic meters has a capacity of 18 tonnes. Iron alloy containers are also available, but the advantage of stainless steel is that it lasts longer.
The Syncrospread spreader is a precision spreader of excellence. The drive belt and turntables are controlled, as well as the turntable speed to adjust spreading width.
This is an Isobus spreader. Currently there is a Raven system on the spreader, but this can be replaced with a Topcon or Greenstar system.
There is also a valve controller from Hidec that precisely controls the oil flow to the turntables and drive belt. The valve regulator is equipped with charge sensors that are connected directly to the oil pump and not through the wiring on the rod (SUV). As the spreader needs oil, a signal goes to the tractor indicating exactly how much oil to send to the spreader.
The spreader’s chain floor is driven by two motors on either side that can be controlled separately to feed material to the discharge opening and the turntables.
The new Rovic Syncospread (RSS 13-18) stainless steel bin holds 13 cubic meters or 18 tonnes.
Turntables
According to Casper, the turntables are the most important components of a spreader.
The rotary discs are suitable for spreading different applications such as lime, fertiliser, manure and gypsum. The turntables are subjected to a lot of vibrations as the product falls on them, therefore it is equipped with a double bearing and a sleeve that cancels the vibration between the turntable and the hydraulic motor.
The stone separator at the back was designed and patented by Rovic, its purpose is to separate stones from the product being applied.
According to Casper, Rovic had to go through a process of accreditation. “We are very proud to say that we can offer you an accredited precision spreader.”
On this large spreader with its capacity of 18 tonnes, two axles are needed, with an axle coupling in the middle that distributes the weight evenly between the two axles.
The rear axle is a steering axle which ensures that the axle rotates together with the spreader when it is necessary to make a sharp turn in the land. The front axle is a braking axle that can be connected to the tractor’s braking action.
Rubber blocks under the drawbar make it a sprung drawbar that absorbs shocks on the spreader driving on uneven land.
The stone separator was designed by Rovic and its purpose is to ensure that stones do not end up on the turntables.
Drawbar
At the front of the drawbar is a BullPull coupling with a ball on the inside that gives more mobility between the tractor and the spreader, especially if you drive over rough terrain to spread.
Everything about the drawbar is adjustable in height. The BullPull can move up and down and the drawbar mounting can be changed to perfectly fit any tractor.
On the inside of the spreader is a grid that separates stones from the product. There is also a stainless-steel bridge that is modular so that the sections can be easily lifted out by a single person to, for example, load onto a cab.
The spreader is equipped with weighing cells that can be calibrated. As the machine spreads, it processes the application program and the amount of product already spread. The precision system compares the quantities and adjusts the calibration automatically.
The spreader is equipped with a double bearing and a spider sleeve that eliminates the vibration between the turntable and the hydraulic motor.
